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The American Road & Transportation Builders Association’s (ARTBA) is holding an event focusing on the impact of driverless cars and other smart technologies on US transportation. The event will see discussions on how these innovations could impact on the design and construction of highways and bridges. Executives from IBM, Microsoft, the Automobile Manufacturers Alliance, public and private sector transportation construction professionals, and other thought leaders will explore these issues on October 28th

Peruvian plans for infrastructure projects will see up to US$10.7 billion worth of concessions being awarded during 2013. This contrasts strongly with the $700 million awarded in 2012. One of the main highway projects is for the $552 million Longitudinal de la Sierra route. This will be put out to tender in the fourth quarter of the year according to Peru’s state investment promotion agency, ProInversión. Other key concessions being put out to tender in the fourth quarter are the $556 million Chinchero Airp

The Driving Safety Club based in the United States has launched a website aimed at saving lives and raising driving safety awareness. The website, www.TheDrivingSafetyClub.com, was created by The Driving Safety Club founder and president, former auto executive and New York musician, Tony Michaels. “I fear that if the general public does not change their attitude towards safe driving, all of our roadways will get more dangerous for each and every one who drives or travels on America’s highways,” said Michael

Several Portuguese motorway concession companies want to be paid compensation by Estradas de Portugal (EP), the state-owned road agency, to help cover the increased costs resulting from the launch of systems to cover toll fees using licence plate chip solutions. The contracts signed by Baixo Tejo, Litoral Oeste and Pinhal Interior between 2008 and 2010 covered the mandatory use of licence plate chip systems, whereby they would be responsible for fees and other related costs. However, the project was altered

Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide Tajikistan US$105 million for two key highway projects. Around $82 million, including subsidies of $70 million, will be used to reconstruct the 88km long Vose - Khovaling road. A further $23 million will go on asphalting the Sayron - Karamyk road. On their completion, both highway works are expected to enhance regional economic cooperation and inclusive economic growth in Tajikistan.

The latest data from France and the UK reveals a stunning long term drop in deaths from drink driving since the 1970s. This highlights the effectiveness of campaigns to tackle drink driving in both countries. In France some 18,000 people were killed on the roads in 1972, compared with 3,645 in 2012. The French Government intends to continue this road safety policy and intends to lower the annual fatality rate to 2,000 by 2020. There is a financial benefit to the economy from improving road safety. According

Atlas Maschinen has purchased all intellectual properties for Terex TL160, TL210, TL260 & TL310 heavy wheeled loaders. During the last quarter of this year, production will be moved from Terex Crailsheim to the Atlas factory in Ganderkesee, Germany. Atlas will produce machines under the Terex brand and under the new Kaelble/ Atlas brand.

Production has started in Brazil of excavators from Shandong Lingong Construction Machinery (Lingong). The SDLG-branded machines will be built in a US$10 million purpose-built assembly hall within the Volvo Group site in Pederneiras, São Paulo state. Initially, four SDLG crawler excavator models will be produced at the new facility – the LG6150E, LG6210E, LG6225E and LG6250E models, covering weight classes from 13.8tonnes to 24.3tonnes. The excavators will be sold to companies working in a variety of indust

The construction of the Inter-Oceanic Corridor in Guatemala is expected to get underway in April 2014, following the completion and approval of feasibility studies. The project will require between US$ 10 billion and $12billion in investments and unite the Pacific with the Caribbean through the construction of a 372km motorway, two railway lines (for freight and passengers) and five pipelines. A total of two ports will also be constructed, one in the Pacific and one in the Atlantic. Construction works will

The Hungarian state will spend €250.81 million on road renovation works in 2013 and 2014, according to national media reports. Seven agreements have been signed by local contrcution firms, including Strabag, Swietelsky, Kozgep, Duna Aszfalt, EuroAszfalt, He-Do and Colas Ut. Some of the costs will be covered from EU provided funds.

Telensa, a ‘smart’ wireless street lighting technology company, and Streetlight.Vision, the central management software provider for ‘smart’ street light and ‘smart’ street solutions, have announced a strategic partnership to integrate their renowned hardware and software systems. The strategic collaboration will see the two companies’ engineering teams working together to interface Telensa’s PLANet (Public Lighting Active Network) system seamlessly with Streetlight.Vision’s central management software plat

A new partnership between Spanish and Argentinian bodies will help improve road safety in both countries. The Spanish Road Association, AEC, has held discussions with Spain’s Ministry of Transport, Directorate General of Traffic (DGT), the Institute of Road Safety MAPFRE Foundation and top level Argentine government members. A focus was placed on tackling driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. This is a key point as Argentina is now promoting a policy of sero alcohol for drivers. Blood alcohol li

Professionals are being lured abroad by the prospects of a career overseas, with nine in 10 (90.72%) of those working in the built environment sector considering a move. Research into professionals’ motivations to move abroad, conducted by specialist recruitment site CareerStructure.com, reveals the considerable appeal of working overseas. The prospect of greater salaries, better career opportunities and new experiences has encouraged most of the 1,564 professionals based all over the world who responded to

DEUTZ has won a record level of new orders under its current business structure in the first half of 2013. The globally renowned German diesel engine manufacturing firm saw new orders rise by over 20% year on year to €843.5 million, compared to €701.0 million in H1 2012. Despite the number of engines sold by DEUTZ in H1 2013 falling by 8.5% to 85,907, compared to the corresponding period of 2012 (93,853 units), the company’s first-half revenue declined by only 2.8% year on year to €662.1 million, compared t